PCB ready to lift ban on ICL players: Sources

Sources in the PCB said that PCB is seriously considering lifting the domestic cricket ban on the ICL players many of whom can still play for the nation.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Karachi:

Pakistan is ready to accept the Indian Cricket League 'rebels' back in domestic cricket but wants to lift the ban on these players in a manner which would not spoil relations with BCCI which does not recognise ICL, according to sources.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board said that PCB is seriously considering lifting the domestic cricket ban on the ICL players many of whom can still play for Pakistan.

"Chief selector Abdul Qadir and director-general Javed Miandad are in favour of allowing these players back into the domestic cricket fold especially after the refusal of India to tour Pakistan," one source said.

"The PCB is aware that the Indian board will not be pleased with such a move so they are looking for a feasible solution," the source said.

"Some of the ICL players have also conveyed to the board they want to come back into domestic cricket as they fear their days with the ICL and IPL are over until relations don't improve with India," he added.

He said the board is likely to encourage any move by the ICL players to go to court to seek an order against the ban imposed on them.

"Feelers have been sent to Moin Khan and Inzamam-ul-Haq who are heading the group of ICL players that if they go to court to try to get an order against the ban the board will not really challenge it," the source disclosed.

He said there was pressure growing on PCB chairman Ejaz Butt, who will take over as Asian Cricket Council President later this month, to start improving relations with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to form a strong bloc in Asia sans India.

"The promptness which SLC chief Ranatunga agreed to send his team to Pakistan is a clear message that Lankans also have enough of India's dominance," the source said.